Will QE really revive the Eurozone? – CNBC Comment January 5, 2015 A new year is upon us, and that means investors will take a fresh look at European stocks. Unfortunately, Europe’s gloomy picture hasn’t changed: not enough growth, inflation is too low, and unemployment is still too high in parts of the Eurozone. Enter stage right: Mario Draghi. Arguably the most powerful European official, investors are [...]
Francois Hollande tells Greece to keep its promises to stay in the Eurozone January 5, 2015 French President Francois Hollande has sent Greece a word of warning today, telling a French radio station: "The Greeks are free to choose their own destiny. But, having said that, there are certain engagements that have been made and all those must be of course respected". Greece is once again facing political turmoil with Europe's [...]
Eurozone manufacturing growth up slightly, but Italy hits 19-month low as France struggles January 2, 2015 After Draghi was doveish, manufacturing data was bearish. The rate of growth for the Eurozone's manufacturing sector was 50.6 compared to the Markit purchasing managers’ index score, where anything above 50 represents growth. The score brings the rate of growth for the quarter to 50.4, bumping along the line between growth and contraction [...]
Business predicts 2015: UK wages to rise, Eurozone will avoid deflation and HS2 could be scrapped January 1, 2015 If 2014 was eventful in business, politics and the economy, this year is sure to prove just as eventful. A UK general election, geopolitical crisis, Eurozone woes and candidates putting themselves forward for the race to the White House will leave no shortage of news. With this in mind the influential business group the Institute [...]
A tale of two crises: How the Eurozone created a 1930s-style catastrophe December 17, 2014 AS THE seventh anniversary of the start of the economic crisis approaches, and as the end of 2014 draws near, it is an appropriate moment to take stock. How far have we come over the past few years, and what lessons can we draw from it? At the time, the recession was simply not recognised [...]
Could the Eurozone soon see a wave of anti-austerity rebellion? December 10, 2014 Adam Memon, head of economic research at the Centre for Policy Studies, says Yes. In Greece, a disastrous combination of sheer incompetence and an inability to grasp the severity of the Eurozone crisis has meant that Syriza, a party of the hard-Left, could soon form a new government. Syriza’s economic programme, which calls for a [...]
Manufacturers’ exports hit by weak Eurozone December 9, 2014 THE UK’s manufacturing output dipped in October due to waning export demand from the Eurozone. Total manufacturing output fell by 0.7 per cent in October compared with September, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics yesterday. Industrial production – which includes mining and quarrying, as well as manufacturing – fell 0.1 per [...]
Eurozone GDP sluggish again as pressure builds on Draghi December 5, 2014 If Mario Draghi and the European Central Bank (ECB) left investors frustrated by failing to hint at plans for quantitative easing yesterday, that frustration will only grow as the latest Eurozone GDP figures, published today, again revealed the weakness in the single market. GDP growth for the third quarter was again weak, with quarterly growth [...]
Oil price drop: How does it affect Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, the US, the UK and the Eurozone? December 5, 2014 The price of Brent crude oil has dropped by around 40 per cent since June, at one point falling to its lowest level in more than four years. It's now stablising at around $70 a barrel, but speculators think it could fall further – perhaps down to $65, maybe even as far as $60 [...]
As the ECB “steps up” stimulus plans, will it do enough to prevent a Eurozone recession? December 4, 2014 Azad Zangana, European economist at Schroders, says Yes. The 2015 outlook for the Eurozone is precarious. Governments are continuing with austerity, while business surveys suggest a downturn is on the horizon. Markets are demanding the European Central Bank (ECB) adds QE to the measures already being used. Despite German resistance, president Mario Draghi has stated [...]